AAU@60: AAU Calls for Contributions to Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Publication

In 2027, the Association of African Universities (AAU) will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee, marking sixty years of service and impact across Africa’s higher education sector. To commemorate this historic milestone, the AAU invites its member institutions, strategic partners and wider higher education community to share significant experiences that demonstrate the AAU’s impact on institutions, individuals and the broader higher education community over the past six decades.

These contributions will form part of the AAU@60 Diamond Jubilee commemorative publication, which will capture the experiences, perspectives and stories of individuals and institutions whose work and professional journeys have been impacted by the AAU over the past six decades. The publication will serve as a record of institutional memory, document experiences of change and impact, and capture lessons that can help inform the future of African higher education.  Click to Submit your Story

The AAU welcomes original reflections from university leaders, academics, researchers, professional and administrative staff, students and alumni, policymakers, development partners, current and former AAU leaders and staff, and other stakeholders. Each contribution should centre on at least one significant experience with the AAU and the change or impact resulting from that experience. 

Contributions may focus on a specific AAU programme, partnership, policy initiative, professional experience or defining moment that made a meaningful difference to an institution, an individual’s work or professional journey, or the wider higher education community. Where applicable, contributors may highlight what changed, who benefited, the results or outcomes, lessons learned, and what should be carried forward into the future.

As a pan-African organisation, the AAU is committed to ensuring that this publication reflects the diversity of Africa’s higher education community. Contributions are therefore encouraged from individuals and institutions across the continent.

Submission Guidelines

Contributions should meet the following requirements:

• Length: 700–1,000 words
• Language: English, French, Arabic or Portuguese
• Author biography: A brief biography of the contributor
• Portrait photograph: A recent high-resolution photograph of the contributor
• Supporting photographs: Relevant high-quality photographs that help illustrate the story, where available

Submission Deadline

The deadline for submissions is 28 February 2027, with final selection notifications expected by 31 March 2027.

Contributions should be submitted through the designated submission portal together with the required supporting materials. Click to Submit your Story

The AAU’s 60th Anniversary celebrations will culminate at the 24th Conference of Rectors, Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP 2027), taking place from 20–23 July 2027 in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference will bring together higher education stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, providing a significant platform to reflect on six decades of the AAU’s contribution to African higher education, strengthen strategic partnerships and advance conversations that will shape its future.

We invite you to share your story, register for COREVIP 2027 and be part of this historic Diamond Jubilee celebration as the AAU reflects on sixty years of impact and looks ahead to the future of African higher education.

For further enquiries regarding the call for contributions or the submission process, please contact fnkrumah@aau.org or lnyame@aau.org.